Wine Storage Tips - The Right Way
May 22, 2008
Any wine storage tips? I bought a case of what hopefully will turn in a great batch and I want to make sure my investment is safe. Do you know what I could do for proper wine preservation? Thanks a whole lot! - Dana in Meridian, MS
Here are wine storage tips for all the lovers of wine who are keen on keeping a few bottles around for that special moment. Follow these easy guidelines for wine preservation and it won’t let you down.
Now, make sure you store your wine horizontally. Allow the wine lay on it’s on side which lets the cork keep in moisture while at the same time serves a dual purpose of letting the sediment to settle down at the bottom of the bottle.
For wine preservation, its absolutely important to keep your wine out of direct sunlight. If a bottle is exposed to light, the end result could lead to a loss of the aromas and flavors. As for other wine storage tips, one of the key things to understand about wine is that you need to keep the temperature in between 55 to 65ºF. If the temperature of the wine fluctuates or if it is stored at a higher temperature, the wine will age much faster.
Wide fluctuations in temperature will make the cork to expand and contract. This will let air into the bottle and the wine will become oxidized under these conditions. Another thing to keep in mind is the proper humidity levels. For wine preservation, having too high a level of humidity can lead to the over all deterioration of the wine labels whereas a low level of humidity can make the cork shrink which again will oxidize the wine or even worse lead to a condition called corked wine.
So there you go, easy huh? If you follow these simple wine storage tips you can make sure that your investment is kept safe and secure so when you are ready to enjoy that perfect bottle you aren’t faced with any surprises. Cheers!!
Lead in Wine?
March 17, 2008
Is lead in wine something I should really consider or is it just media hype and paranoia? - Justin in Rochester, MN
One concern has been with very expensive decanters that are made from crystal that some of these do contain a tiny amount of lead because it makes the glass very clear. Research has shown that if you use these types of crystal to store wine or liquor over a long period of months that the alcohol may leach a discernible amount of lead into the contents.
However, the amounts are marginal. But you have to consider that since lead can cause brain damage, it is definitely worth being cautious. Talk about being a hardcore wino, so much that you are willing to risk brain damage to get your kicks. Now if you are still willing to use a crystal decanter I highly advise that you use it only for the evening and from there pour the remainder back into the bottle.
DO NOT use these for long term storage of wine unless you have a fond desire of drooling on yourself while clapping your hands…
Ullage
March 13, 2008
I was wanting to know if the ullage of a wine can be used to indicate quality? - Gwen in Waterville, ME
When you are looking at a bottle and deciding if it is something that you are wanting to invest in. The ullage of a bottle will tell you about the condition of the contents. As a rule the larger the ullage, the more space for oxygen within the bottle which can hasten the aging process. This term refers to the unfilled air space at the top of a bottle of wine, which in this case is essential to allow for the expansion of the wine as the temperature changes.
During the wine fermentation process, the wine breathes through the cork and this adds complexity to the aromas and flavor of the wine. But if the fill levels are lower than what is normally expected for the wine’s age, it can lead to the decrease in the value of the bottle. Now, for a wine up to 20 years of age, it’s ullage level should be in the neck. As for wines 20 to 40 years old, anything below top shoulder should be viewed in caution.
Here is a quick reference guide when you are checking out a bottle of your favorite wine.
Mid neck: A mid neck fill tells if a wine that has been kept well.
Base neck: A lot of bottles are filled to the base neck level. For older wines this level indicates exceptional storage conditions.
Top shoulder: A wine which is over 10 years old with a top shoulder fill should be considered acceptable. Older wines will only have a top shoulder fill if they have been stored well.
Mid shoulder: A mid shoulder fill is not unusual for wines over 50 years old, but it may suggest that the wine has not been stored in the best of conditions.
Low shoulder: A low shoulder fill level suggests that the wine has been held in poor storage conditions and is usually not considered to be drinkable.
Below shoulder: This is not seen very often and can indicate that the ullage has dropped below the shoulder into the main section of the bottle with a very high chance that the wine is not drinkable.
Gwen, you are now armed with the right knowledge to judge whether or not you should pick up that curious bottle of wine and take it home with you. Cheers!!
Wine Crystals
March 11, 2008
Last night I opened up a bottle of white wine and noticed what looked like wine crystals down at the bottom of the bottle. Are these harmless and what causes them to form? - Ada in Norwich, CT
You really shouldn’t worry about wine crystals and actually crystals in wine can denote the level of quality. I’ll explain. These are more common in red wine where they take on the color of the wine and are regarded as part of the sediment. In white wine they remain clear and some people worry that they may be glass.
Sediments occur in bottled wine and the wine crystals you saw are a type of sediment. The wine crystals are potassium tartrate and this is found naturally in wine. It will precipitate and form these crystals under certain conditions especially at prolonged storage under cold temperatures. The processing required to guarantee that these crystals will never form is generally considered to diminish the quality of wine.
When you buy some bottles, they may already have crystals that have formed. Others may develop crystals while being stored in cold weather or simply refrigerated for a few days. Wine crystals come in various shapes and sizes. Sometimes they resemble tiny grape nuts or small pieces of ruby glass and will completely dissolve in warm or hot water. But again these wine crystals are completely harmless.
Don’t have a fit the next time you see these crystals and do not try to shake the bottle up in the hopes that it will dissolve them. Gently pour the wine into a glass and have a care free moment of bliss knowing that the crystals will harm you not.
Wine Longevity
March 7, 2008
Hi, what different types of wine have good wine longevity? - Miriam in Farmington, NM
With all the talk about different types of wine that are specifically made for aging, most of the world’s wines are meant for immediate use. The rare ones that are crafted for this type of wine longevity require specialized storage at a constant 55F. This is way too cold for constant air conditioning and yet too warm for a refrigerator.
Can you imagine the electric bill after 25 + years? We have to recognize that wines of more than 100 years old, or even 50 in the vast majority of cases, are still going to be anything other than a fascinating piece of curiosity and that these are bought by people to be part of their collection.
However, an affordable wine which does have great wine longevity is Madeira. This strong wine was purposely made to survive while even improving during long ocean voyages to markets around the world. Madeira ranges from dry to very sweet and it will last for quite a long time, even under poor storage conditions.
Believe it or not, Madeira remains very affordable for an age worthy wine. They usually start from $20 to $50 for a recently produced bottle sold here in the states.
Here are a few types that offer the best wine longevity: Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhones from France, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Italian reds, dessert wines like Port, Sauternes and Rieslings.
So go buy a few bottles and put them away for that occasion when something from your past can greet you in the pleasure of good company.